I love Ngozi Ukazu’s work! This was a really interesting graphic novel about a warrior on a planet without love. This seems like the start of a long series, and I’m excited to see what happens in the next one!

This is strong and inventive storytelling with a character worth more exploration. The art style is distinctive and I love the idea of how this book could introduce new readers/young readers to the DC universe.

I will admit to grabbing this because I absolutely love Ngozi Ukazu's graphic novels. DC isn't one of my favorite fandoms, so I went into this knowing almost nothing about any of the characters. I feel like you can go into this without knowing much, but that if you know more than you might be able to get more out of the story than I did.

AHHHHH!!!!! Okay so I didn't know DC was releasing this until this weekend at Free Comic Book Day. All I saw was Ngozi Ukzau's name and grabbed a copy since I loved her graphic novel Bunt! that was released a few months ago. When I sat down to read, it hit me that this was about Barda, one of my favorite underrated DC characters! The story is perfect. It's perfect for new readers. It's perfect for old readers. It's the best.

Barda is DC's newest standalone story following Barda, a young warrior on planet Apokolips who is subjected to cruelty in an attempt to train out her compassion. I thought the art was really well done in this one. Apokolips is a horrifying world, but it was brought to life clearly in the illustrations. For me, the story felt a little lackluster. There were many characters and a central romance, but it felt like most characters other than Barda were not fleshed out well enough to keep my interest.

Thanks to NetGalley, Ngozi Ukazu, and DC Entertainment for the chance read this review copy!

I knew nothing about the DC franchise it's associated with, but it's written in such a way that you really don't need any prior knowledge to follow the story, as it's more of an introduction to the setting than a continuation of what's come before. The story follows Barda, a warrior trained to be strong, ruthless, and villainous, and she has a secret: she's in love. Which is, unfortunately, basically outlawed on her home planet, but she thinks she's hiding her feelings well until their commander, Granny Goodness, tests her, thinking Barda is becoming too soft. The story focuses on Barda's struggles with how she's been raised and what she feels, while trying to Stay on Granny's good side. The story was alright, but the art was stellar and my favorite part of the book.

This was action packed with a morally gray protagonist learning how to break from the oppressive regime she’s always served. There was a central romance, but I found her friendships and personal introspection and growth much more captivating elements. I’d definitely be interested in reading more of Barda’s story.

I was unfamiliar with this side of the DCverse before starting this graphic novel. I think it serves as a good introductory to these characters and this realm, as well as caters to a younger age beginning the reading of comics process.

Super interesting take on DC for a YA graphic novel! Ngozi's recent novel BUNT! was a joy to read, and this one was a joy to read too. The art was gorgeous and flowed throughout the pages, and the characterization of Apokolips and its inhabitants was really cool to see in YA.

"Barda" is another release of DC's young adult imprint. Taken from Jack Kirby's sprawling Fourth World, this is a stand alone graphic novel that follows Big Barda as she longs for a world that could be more than survival of the fittest. Ngozi Ukazu of "Check Please!" renown both writes and illustrates the story, and her familiarity with longing gazes and romance is fitting when Barda initially fantasizes about flirt fighting with her enemy, Prince Orion, in a first crush that seems natural for someone who only knows violence. When she is introduced to Scott Free that her real emotions get to grow and develop for the prisoner she is tasked with torturing, and this is actually the part where I wished the fast pace of the graphic novel would slow a little for more time with them. Ukazu frames the chapters with stories from a fairy tale that is from a forbidden book, which works well to direct where things are going. And there is a particularly well thought out sequence where Granny Goodness constricts Scott into a box as they talk about Barda's conviction to torturing him, where his diminishment into the white space continues as Granny explains Barda's purpose, and Scott's presence suddenly filling the page mirrors Barda's rekindled compassion as she cries for Granny not to kill him.

So it's not Ukazu's lack of artistic experience, but I still found her art style to be a mismatch with the story. Darkseid's world is unrelentingly grim and despair filled, so the lighter palate and cartoony style felt somewhat at odds with the tone. There are some cases where it may be intentional, as it allows something as unpleasant as a friend being tortured by dancing herself to death to be displayed in a way that isn't viscerally disturbing. However, it does feel like Ukazu's writing is being held back by the art. Fans of "Check Please!" may find the subject matter drastically different. On its own merits, it is a great coming of age story that is focused on the redeeming power of love and a dystopian backdrop that many YA fans would like, but may need some guidance finding.

I am a newcomer to the Darkseid/Apokolips cannon and the characters that populate that world, but I am definitely intrigued and will be reading more!

Ngozi Ukazu's distinct artistic style brings Barda and the horrific world of Apokolips to life! The characters are vibrantly rendered. The Furies are a little sisterhood of tortured psychos, and I want to learn more about their backgrounds. Granny Goodness creeps me out, she is absolute, pure evil. Barda is that character who's redemption is something you can get behind and root for.

I will be purchasing for my HS library & recommending to my students looking for super hero stories.

#NetGalley #Barda

We do speak of love on Apokolips. Barda has been raised with only pain and punishment, never love, or understanding, or hope. Even as she fights under the cruel hand of Granny Goodness and Darkseid, Barda still sees beauty and secretly wishes to feel love. A gripping graphic novel, I hope there is a second one!
Thank you to NetGalley and DC Comics for this DRC.
#Barda #NetGalley

A look at the events that shaped Big Barda. Lots that I liked, especially Barda thinking what she experienced with Orion was love because she hadn't ever had a similar interaction. I didn't loooove the art, it was a weird attempt at softening the classic Kirby look that didn't really work for me.

Is this a new hero story? I don't know if I've ever heard of Barda or this universe before!! I really liked it though. The art style is a bit too cutesy for a murder planet imo, but I feel like it still was enjoyable.